Demerit Points License System Coming to T&T

The Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) Trinidad and Tobago has plans to update the old legislation with a new demerit points system and is inviting the public to download the policy document and post your comments on their website. Below is the press release from the MOWT website:

The Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) bears the responsibility for the continued development and implementation of traffic law enforcement measures and strategies for the regulation of road use and promotion of road safety in Trinidad and Tobago. An assessment of the current legislation, underscores the necessity of implementing practical and modern amendments to the current Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Ch. 48:50, towards engendering greater responsibility of motorists on the nation’s roads.

Additionally, the Ministry proposes to have the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Enforcement and Administration) Act, Ch. 48:52 repealed and anchored into the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Ch. 48:50, in line with the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Bill 2016. As such, the implementation of a Demerit Points System is proposed by the Ministry which would allow for demerit points to be ascribed to a person’s driver’s license, where a driver was issued with a fixed penalty notice, or convicted by a Court for a traffic violation under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Ch. 48:50.

provide for the introduction of a legal and technological platform for the robust enforcement of offences under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chapter 48:50 and Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Enforcement and Administration) Act, Ch. 48:52 while ensuring an effective and efficient disposal of matters that reach the Courts;

encourage and promote safety on the nation’s road network;

improve the standard of driving in Trinidad and Tobago by reducing the incidents of road traffic accidents;

utilise a modern system of Demerit Points to target habitual violators of traffic laws;

deter habitual violators of traffic laws by introducing the prospect of additional sanctions when certain traffic laws are breached;

effect corrective and rehabilitative sanctions against violators of traffic laws; and

propose key amendments to the Fixed Penalty Ticketing System that will ensure an improvement in its administrative processes and the easy disposal of traffic matters before the Courts.

Demerits will be distributed according to two license classes

Newly Licensed Driver:

A newly licensed driver, a person holding a licence for a period of twelve (12) months or less from the date of issuance, shall have his or her licence suspended for a period of one (1) year, upon the accumulation of seven (7) or more demerit points during the twelve (12) months period, from the date of the issuance of the driver’s licence.

Fully Licensed/Experienced Driver:

It is recommended that a fully licensed driver, meaning a person holding a licence in excess of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance.

Demerit Points and Suspension periods

Demerit Points accumulated within three(3) years

Suspension period

More than ten (10) but less than fourteen (14)

Six (6) months

More than fourteen (14) but less than twenty (20)

One (1) year

More than twenty (20)

Two (2) years

The public should refer to the policy document for more information on the details and of course voice your opinions on the MOWT website. Below are the list of violations and the demerit points associated with them.

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